Tontine Hotel, Telford

After living in the Telford area for many years now this was my first visit to the Tontine. On entering, the reception has a lovely tiled floor. Think it may have been from the famous Maw and co. My visit was on a Sunday and they were doing Carvery lunches. I have to say this is probably gthe best Carvery i have ever had the pleasure of eating. Absolutely fabulous. The chef (who was slightly hungover) informs me it is all in the Gravy. There were only 2 real ales on at the time (Station Bitter and Butty Bach). I was told that in the Summer months there are 3 real ales and they will soon be making room for a fourth. I stuck with the Station Bitter as it wasnt as strong and was apparentley the most popular with the locals and is always on. It comes from a brewer in Oswestry only approx 15 miles away. It was a very good pint, dark and malty. The pub was very busy with other diners and a few locals at the bar. The atmosphere was relaxed and i felt very comfortable in my surroundings. I have never been in the Tontine during the week however I would highly reccommend visiting on a Sunday lunchtime for a good pint and a meal or maybe just to sample the Gravy.

The Tontine Hotel (originally the New Inn) stands adjacent to the famous Iron Bridge and was opened in 1784 to effectively harness the growing traffic using the bridge that had opened 5 years earlier. The Hotel was financed by many of the same investors responsible for building the bridge and the capital for the Hotel was raised using a tontine scheme, an unusual and now virtually extinct form of annuity and from where the current Hotel name is taken. Internally it initially seems a bit tatty and dated but it can at least be said that it hasn’t been tarted up to pander to the tourist elements. The island bar is eclipsed in one corner by the Hotel reception throughn which entry to the pub is gained but the rest is a walk around bar. There is plenty to note as you wander through, in particular the large musral of the bridge on the rear wall. A mounted placque commemorates the bi-centenial of the bridge and there is also a history of the pub and a record of licencees stretching back to 1820. There was also some interesting local artwork for sale. The pub did once brew its own beers and whilst no longer the case, it does support the local breweries although just 2 of the 6 pumps were operational on my visit - Wye Valley Butty Bach & Salopian Shropshire Gold. Quality and pricing was very good for such a tourist area. The food was also simple, reasonably priced and promptly delivered. My visit was a Saturday lunchtime when it was reasonably quiet and aside from the low piped music, it did have a bit of a muted atmospehere. It was the only pub we tried in town so local comparisons wouldn’t be fair but given its historic relevance to the bridge, I would certainly suggest popping in for a pint or two if visiting the town.

Large georgian hotel at the end of the iron bridge, rather plain decoration although a few pieces of georgian elegance remain, Rob has described the furnishings which are the same as on his last visit. The ground floor has a dining room, a small hotel reception and a largish U shaped bar, catering for tourists and locals. Three handpumps on each side of the U shaped counter with reasonable beers from local small breweries, two from Shropshire, and Wye Valley's lovely Butty Bach. Usual kegs apply. There is a nice and popular outside seating area looking onto the bridge. It has a reputation for boisterousness at weekends but I didn't see any evidence of this although the atmosphere suggested it could get quite noisy.

Decent hotel bar directly facing the iron bridge that feels more like a pub. Loads of interesting paintings etc on the walls along with other memorabilia. Lots of different styles of seating as well. Some comfortable sofas, some leather sofas and a couple of chairs with the backrests made from wagon wheels. Two banks of three handpumps doubling up with Salopian Shropshire Gold, Corvedale Norman's Pride and Wye Valley Butty Bach. The Corvedale was a decent pint. It's a hotel from a bygone era apart from the prices, my pint was £2.80 which is pretty expensive even for a tourist trap like Ironbridge.

Official site of the Tontine Hotel - www.tontine-hotel.com

Official site of the Tontine Hotel - www.tontine-hotel.com

Having not visited Ironbridge for some 15 years despite not living too far away I thought I would go and visit this old haunt of mine. They only had 3 real ales on which were all local and of course I had to sample all 3. I have to admit they were all superbly kept but the Shropshire Gold stood out the most. Friendly atmosphere. Will definately be back with friends.

I have the misfortune of living not far from this appalling place. Quite frankly if the duty/tax on beer was reduced to zero for this pub only I'd still avoid the place. If it wasn't for its proximity to the Iron Bridge (over the road) it would have closed years ago. For tourists who either don't care, or know, about what they are drinking. If you have had your taste buds surgically removed & find a cemetary exciting this is the place for you, otherwise forget it. Parking on far side of the river, nice cafe nearby.